Purse thief tells judge 'I wish I could take it back'

A Vandalia man who stole an 88-year-old woman’s purse as she left the Family Dollar in Tipp City in August was sentenced today in Miami County Common Pleas Court to serve one year in prison.

Donald W. Johnson, 48, originally was charged with aggravated robbery in the Aug. 11 incident when Tipp City police said he approached the woman asking for money to buy drugs. When she refused, he grabbed the purse and ran, but was tackled a short time later by a witness to the theft.

Johnson pleaded guilty in September to a reduced charge of felony robbery.

At sentencing Johnson told Judge Christopher Gee, “I wish I could take it back.”

Gee ordered him to serve the prison time and encouraged him to take advantage of prison programs to help deal with his drug problem. Johnson was given credit for 64 days already spent in jail.

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